year's day seemed to mark the decisive feature of the CHAP IX. crisis. Prayer now began to be offered with much fervency, and often with strong crying and tears; and from this time the character of the work was no longer doubtful. "By the 1st of April the whole population round us was under deep excitement; many, perhaps the majority, were not actuated by any real concern for their souls, but were moved because others were; and it is feared they will relapse again into their former state of stupidity. Time only can tell how many have been raised to newness of life. Meetings are well attended; but that deep solemnity and wakeful interest which a few months ago rested on the assemblies, has, to a great degree, passed away." The preacher, whose candour and good sense appear Abatements to great advantage, states some reasons for ministerial from the awkening. vigilance during such seasons of awakening. 1. The natives are very excitable on any subject; and in the present state of society, especially so on the subject of religion. 2. In a number of instances the fairest appearances are found connected with the indulgence of secret iniquity. This is not uncommon among the natives. 3. The history of excitements in these islands is calculated to produce caution. If they are real converts, they will not be likely to fall away by being looked at a few months, especially if they enjoy constant instruction. We should have been glad to take some notice of the actual condition of things, but we regret that our limits are inconsistent with minute details, for which we direct the attention of the reader to the original authorities. We may remark, however, that the Sandwich Islands are not the only scene of those occasional excitements called "revivals," which, while they shake the faith of Remarks on the unlearned, threaten to undermine the principles of revivals. morals, order, decency, and decorum. Even in those countries where the fundamental tenets of christian belief have been long established, and the usages of divine Missionary Register, vol. xxi. p. 75. CHAP. IX worship have ingrafted themselves on the habits of the people at large, it is not uncommon to witness a considerable ebb and flow in the popular mind in regard as well to doctrine as to ceremonies. Such persons as have carefully marked the events of recent years in Great Britain and America, will have no difficulty in recollecting movements in the religious world not less remarkable than those of Owhyhee and Woahoo. In all ages, the theological thermometer has indicated such variations in the temperature of the great mass of society; but it is pleasant to add that the result, in General re- most cases, has had a beneficial tendency. The "lump" cannot be fully leavened without a considerable degree of fermentation; a process, however, which, if not watched with a vigilant eye, is very apt to exceed the proper limits, and to terminate in a repulsive acidity. Still there is no reason to dread the issue of that working of hope and fear which has recently manifested itself in the hearts of the rude islanders, provided the teachers pursue a steady course, and direct the attention of their converts to that faith which is necessarily followed by virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly-kindness, and charity. sults of re vivals. CHAPTER X. New Zealand. New Zealand discovered by Tasman-Description of its Inhabitants-Cook examines the Coast-Makes a Passage through the Straits which bear his Name-Ungenerous Conduct of Surville-Expedition and Death of M. Marion-Loss sustained by Captain Furneaux-Intercourse between New Zealand and Australia-Tippahee-Moyhanger visits England -Murder of the Crew of the Boyd-Missionaries land at Rangihoua-Two Chiefs appear in London-Are introduced to the Prince Regent Missionaries increase their StationsFavour manifested by the Chiefs-Measures proposed for forming a regular Church in New Zealand-Number of Stations-Desire of Improvement among Natives-Original State of European Population-Associations formed for Colonization-New Zealand Company's Establishment at Port Nicholson-Great Immigration-Obstacles opposed by Government -Sovereignty of the Queen proclaimed-Charter granted to the Company. The dis New Zealand THE group which passes under the name of New Zea- CHAP. X land was discovered by Abel Jansen Tasman, in September 1642. At that period, Anthony Van Diemen covery of was governor of the Dutch possessions in the East Indies, who, being desirous to add to the knowledge of maritime geography, more especially towards the unexplored regions of the South Pole, despatched this celebrated captain in charge of two small vessels, with instructions to ascertain the boundaries of the continent which was supposed to occupy all the antarctic parallels of the Pacific CHAP. X Its inhabit- Ocean. The first reward of Tasman's exertions was the discovery of an island, which he named, in honour of his patron, Van Diemen's Land. After examining the coasts with some attention, he proceeded towards the east, and when in latitude 38° 10' S., and longitude 167° 21' E., he again saw land about a degree to the south-south-east. It was not, however, till he had attained the northern extremity of it that any inhabitants appeared, who, sounding a trumpet, probably composed of a shell, attracted his attention to an address which, being uttered in a strange dialect, he could not understand. He describes them as being of common stature and strong boned, their colour between brown and yellow, and their hair black, which they wore tied up on the crown of the head, like the Japanese, each having a large white feather stuck upright in it. Their vessels were double canoes fastened together by cross planks, on which they sat. It is remarked, that their language bore no resemblance to that used in the Solomon Islands, with a vocabulary of which Tasman had been furnished at Batavia. Notwithstanding his earnest desire to secure their good opinion, he could not prevent an attack upon a boat's crew, which occasioned to him the loss of several lives. Having no hope of being able to establish a friendly intercourse, he left the "Bay of Murderers," and proceeded towards the north; and finding the coast still stretching to a great extent in an eastern direction, he imagined that he had at length discovered the great southern continent, the Terra Incognita Australis,-which he at first called Staten Land, and afterwards New Zealand. Visit of Cook. Of this important country no farther account was taken till the year 1769, when, in the month of October, it was seen by Captain Cook, while engaged in his first circumnavigation of the globe. There is reason to believe, however, from certain communications made by the natives to this distinguished seaman, that some European ship had touched on the coast a short time before his arrival; and as this visit was never reported in Eng land, there is but too much reason to apprehend that the CHAP. X. crew were massacred by the barbarous inhabitants.* ties in As Cook approached New Zealand from the east, he landed on the side opposite to that which had been surveyed by Tasman. At first he had to encounter the His difficulusual difficulties; nor was it until the fierce people had landing. failed in an attack upon him and his two friends, Solander and Banks, and had experienced the fatal effects of firearms, that he succeeded in establishing a temporary intercourse with them. While employed in search of fresh water, in the interior of the bay, he met one of their fishing canoes returning from the sea, having on board four men and three boys. As soon as they perceived the English boats, they plied their paddles with so much activity, that they would have effected their escape, had not the captain ordered a musket to be fired over their heads, in the hope that this display of power would induce them to surrender. But in this expectation he was unfortunately disappointed; for although, on the discharge of the piece, they laid aside their paddles and began to strip, it was only that they might be prepared to meet their assailants and give them battle. Accord- Encounter ingly, as soon as they reached their enemies, they com- natives. menced the attack with their simple weapons; and so obstinate was the resistance made by them, that the encounter did not terminate until the four men were killed. On witnessing this catastrophe, the boys leaped into the water, whence, after considerable opposition, they were taken up and placed in the boat. At first they seemed to have no expectation but of instant death at the hands of their captors. Upon being kindly treated, however, and furnished with clothes, they soon laid aside their apprehensions, and even seemed to forget the fate of their countrymen who perished in the conflict. When In Cruise's Journal, p. 86, it is mentioned that he was told by one of the natives, an old man, of a ship that had been lost on the west coast, at a comparatively recent period. A boat's crew having gone on shore to trade for provisions, were, he said, cut off by the savages. See also The New Zealanders (12mo, Lond. 1830), p. 27. with the |